The Pioneer of Open Access on the Railway – Ian Yeowart interview
Green Signals23 Apr 2025

The Pioneer of Open Access on the Railway – Ian Yeowart interview

Open Access services are an emotive topic. They also risk becoming a real political headache in the process of reforming Britain’s railway. Politicians are talking up the benefits of re-nationalisation and control. Yet they can’t help themselves seemingly wanting to claim some credit for a deal they had no direct role in when the factory that’s building new trains for open access services announces its success to the world.

Ian Yeowart is widely regarded in the railway as the guru of open access. He’s been described as the Godfather of open access (a term he dislikes) but he is uncompromising in his views. His focused approach has brought some disappointments but it’s brough considerable success.

Richard went to York to chat with Ian and to discuss whether he remains as committed to open access now as he ever was, and what he thinks of the Government’s plans for the future.

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